Man About Canton: Two Canton Icons Pass Away
By Joe DeFeliceDID YOU KNOW…
MAC was saddened to hear of the recent passing of two Canton icons. Their passing leaves a dent in what makes Canton such a great town.
Charles W. Ford died at the age of 96. During his working days, Charlie was an outstanding court stenographer, and for many years he was the official stenographer for all Canton town meetings. He was a World War II Army veteran and a well-dressed, soft-spoken, and friendly gentleman who always wore a suit, tie, and scally cap whenever he was out in public.
Paul Michael Alberts died after a long and courageous battle with cancer at the young age of 52. Paul worked for UPS for over 31 years, and Canton was the main part of his daily delivery route. Paul was the “Canton UPS man” who would often deliver packages on his own time, which was one of the many reasons why he was so well liked in Canton. He was also an avid health and fitness advocate, and he spent an average of four days a week at the Terban Fitness Center. Howie Terban, owner of Terban Fitness Center and one of Paul Alberts’ best friends, will miss seeing Paul at his daily 5 a.m. workouts. He was a friend to all who knew him, and to some, he was considered the “unofficial mayor” of Canton. Paul leaves a big hole in the hearts of the people he knew in Canton. May he rest in peace.
The state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics recently announced that it is instituting a state-wide system to standardize public records, including birth, marriage, and death records, as well as standardized uniform fees. Public access to those records will now be able to be obtained from any city or town hall in Massachusetts. This means you will be able to obtain a birth, marriage, or death record on file in one city or town at another city or town.
Congratulations to Canton High freshman Grace-Mary Burega, who has been selected to play the clarinet in the Honors Band performing in the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Selection to play in this Honors Band is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the country, and they must go through an audition process by a special selection committee after being nominated. In addition to the clarinet, Grace-Mary also plays the saxophone and flute, and she is looking forward to the Honors performance on Saturday, February 19.
Canton High School varsity head football coach Jim Goff has resigned after six years at the helm of the Bulldog football team.
The John F. Kennedy School’s Winter Fling will be held on February 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kennedy School. There will be games, prizes, It’s 2 Cool Inflatables, Dance Dance Revolution, a photo booth, raffles, candy and cake walks, karaoke, crafts, and much, much more!
Annual open burning in Canton is now being allowed by the Canton Fire Department from January 15 through May 1. Prior to burning, a permit must be obtained daily from the Canton Fire Department; burning is only allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and no burning may be started after 12 noon. For more information, call Lt. Tom Driscoll at the Canton Fire Department at 781-575-6654 ext. 114.
MAC found it interesting that 85 new freshmen congressmen were recently sworn into office, and only nine were Democrats, including Representative Bill Keating. Incidentally, Keating’s new office is located at 315 Canon Office Building in Washington, D.C., and there is a plaque located there which states that the office was occupied by John F. Kennedy when he served in Congress in 1946 as the representative of the 11th Congressional District of Massachusetts. Kennedy served three terms before he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952.
The new officers of the Canton Historical Society for 2011 are Wallace Gibbs, president; Marie Gibbs, vice president;Elena Mitcherony, treasurer; and Carol Gomes, clerk. The Board of Directors includes Paul Mitcherony, Jim Roache, Patricia Johnson, Tara Lynch, Jim Fitzpatrick, Ellen and Len Barnett, and Sepp Bergschneider.
Speaking of the Historical Society, they will hold an open house at their 1400 Washington Street address between 2 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, and Sunday, March 13.
The United Nations Weather Agency reports that the title for the warmest year on record is now a tie among 2010, 2005, and 1998. The average temperature globally last year was 0.95 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the 1961 mean of 90, which is used for comparison purposes.
MAC hates to say it, but the average price for a gallon of gasoline has reached $3.14, which is 30 cents per gallon higher than it was at this time last year.
According to the recent census, the number of poor people in the U.S. is millions higher than previously reported, with one in six Americans, many of them 65 and older, struggling in poverty due to rising medical care and other costs.
Finally, members of the state House of Representatives will now have to wear appropriate attire whenever they are in chamber. In other words, blue jeans, track suits, athletic jerseys, and spaghetti straps are out; and propriety is now mandatory, according to the new House rules recently adopted.
Henry Ford once said: Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
This is all for now folks; see you next week.
Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=631
Posted by Joe DeFelice
on Feb 3 2011. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion.
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